Flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle, cigarette filter, filter-tipped cigarette, and method for producing flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle

ABSTRACT

A flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle comprising an adsorbent core particle having a BET specific surface area of 700 m 2 /g or greater, and a flavor-generating medium carried on the surface of the adsorbent core particle and including a flavorant and a flavorant-holding material holding the flavorant, wherein the flavorant-holding material is present in an amount of 5 to 20% with respect to a total weight of the flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle, and the flavorant is present in an amount of 10 to 50% with respect to a weight of the flavorant-holding material.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of PCT Application No.PCT/JP2012/067724, filed Jul. 11, 2012 and based upon and claiming thebenefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No.2011-157215, filed Jul. 15, 2011, the entire contents of all of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a flavorant-carrying adsorbentparticle, a cigarette filter, a filter-tipped cigarette, and a methodfor producing the flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle.

2. Description of the Related Art

Flavorant-carrying activated carbon particles are embedded in acigarette filter, flavor from the flavorant is emitted in the mainstreamsmoke of a cigarette, and the smoker enjoys the flavor. For example, WO2008/072627 discloses a flavor bead in which the surface of aparticulate carrier such as activated carbon is covered with a glucanfilm containing a flavorant. This flavor bead is produced according tothe following process. A particulate carrier is put into a fluidized-bedgranulation dryer, and an aqueous glucan solution or dispersioncontaining a flavorant is continuously or intermittently sprayed ontothe surface of the particulate carrier while blowing warm air of e.g.80° C. or lower into the dryer, followed by drying.

However, in the method of WO 2008/072627, it takes a relatively longtime when a large amount of a flavorant is subjected to the treatment.As a result, it is difficult to increase the amount of a flavorantcarried.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problem to be Solved by the Invention

Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide aflavorant-carrying adsorbent particle carrying a relatively large amountof a flavorant by a treatment in a relatively short time.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide acigarette filter comprising the flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle,and a cigarette tipped with the filter.

Furthermore, still another object of the present invention is to providea method for producing a flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle.

Means for Solving the Problem

In order to solve the above problem, according to the first aspect ofthe present invention, there is provided a flavorant-carrying adsorbentparticle comprising an adsorbent core particle having a BET specificsurface area of 700 m²/g or greater, and a flavor-generating mediumcarried on the surface of the adsorbent core particle and including aflavorant and a flavorant-holding material holding the flavorant,wherein the flavorant-holding material is present in an amount of 5 to20% with respect to a total weight of the flavorant-carrying adsorbentparticle, and the flavorant is present in an amount of 10 to 50% withrespect to a weight of the flavorant-holding material.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a cigarette filter comprising a filter section including theflavorant-carrying adsorbent particle of the present invention. Further,according to the third aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a filter-tipped cigarette comprising a cigarette rod and thefilter of the present invention which is connected to one end of thecigarette rod.

Further, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, thereis provided a method for producing a flavorant-carrying adsorbentparticle, comprising spraying a liquid flavor-emitting compositioncontaining a flavorant and a flavorant-holding material onto anadsorbent core particle having a BET specific surface area of 700 m²/gor greater while stirring the adsorbent core particle under reducedpressure.

Effects of the Invention

According to the present invention, a flavorant-carrying adsorbentparticle carrying a relatively large amount of a flavorant is providedby a treatment in a relatively short time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of anapparatus for producing a flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a filter-tippedcigarette according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a filter-tippedcigarette according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial fractured schematic view illustrating an apparatusfor trapping components contained in the mainstream smoke of acigarette.

FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating a measurement result of the amounts of aflavorant carried and a flavorant-holding material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail.

A flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle of the present inventioncomprises an adsorbent core particle and a flavor-generating mediumcarried on the surface of the adsorbent core particle and including aflavorant and a flavorant-holding material holding the flavorant. Theflavorant-holding material is present in an amount of 5 to 20% withrespect to the total weight of the flavorant-carrying adsorbentparticle, and the flavorant is present in an amount of 10 to 50% withrespect to the weight of the flavorant-holding material.

The adsorbent core particle used in the present invention has a BETspecific surface area of 700 m²/g or greater. In the presentspecification, the BET specific surface area refers to a specificsurface area obtained according to the publically known BET method. Whenthe BET specific surface area is less than 700 m²/g, it is not possibleto sufficiently adsorb the components in the mainstream smoke of acigarette. In the present invention, the adsorption ability isdetermined by taking acetone, which is one of the representativecomponents in the mainstream smoke of a cigarette, or the like as astandard. The adsorbent core particle preferably has a BET specificsurface area of 1000 m²/g or greater. The BET specific surface area ofan adsorbent core particle is generally 2000 m²/g or less.

Examples of such an adsorbent core particle include an activated carbonparticle, a zeolite particle, and a silica gel particle.

It is preferable that the adsorbent core particle has an averageparticle size of 75 to 1000 μm, and for example, an adsorbent coreparticle having an average particle size of 75 to 600 μm may be suitablyused.

The flavor-generating medium covering the surface of the adsorbent coreparticle includes a flavorant and a flavorant-holding material holdingthe flavorant.

Examples of the flavorant include a hydrophilic flavorant and ahydrophobic flavorant. Examples of the hydrophilic flavorant includeleaf tobacco extract, natural vegetable flavorant (for example,licorice, St. John's bread, plum extract, peach extract, and the like),acids (for example, malic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, butyricacid, and the like), saccharides (glucose, fructose, isomerized sugar,and the like). Examples of the hydrophobic flavorant include menthol,cocoas (powder, extract, and the like), esters (for example, isoamylacetate, linalyl acetate, isoamyl propionate, linalyl butyrate, and thelike), natural essential oils (as vegetable essential oils, for example,vanilla extract, spearmint, peppermint, cassia, jasmine, and the like;as animal essential oils, for example, musk, ambergris, civet,castoreum, and the like), and single flavors (for example, anethole,limonene, linalool, eugenol, vanillin, and the like).

The holding material holding the flavorant contains a film formingmaterial and an emulsifying agent as needed. The representative examplesof the film forming material used in the present invention includeglucan, and examples of glucan include pullulan, maltodextrin, andhydroxypropyl cellulose. Glucan is water-soluble. A film formingmaterial such as glucan is able to hold a flavorant by embedding theflavorant in the film formed of the film forming material. The filmforming material can be used for any of a hydrophilic flavorant and ahydrophobic flavorant.

Examples of the emulsifying agent include glycerin fatty acid ester,sucrose fatty acid ester (sugar ester), sorbitan fatty acid ester,propylene glycol fatty acid ester, and lecithin. Molecules of theemulsifying agent hold a hydrophobic flavorant in an aqueous medium bycausing the hydrophobic group of the molecule to adsorb around the oildroplet of the hydrophobic flavorant, and hold the hydrophobic flavorantafter drying as well.

In the flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle of the present invention,the flavorant-holding material is present in an amount of 5 to 20%, andpreferably 5 to 10%, with respect to the total weight of theflavorant-carrying adsorbent particle. In addition, the flavorant ispresent in an amount of 10 to 50% with respect to the weight of theflavorant-holding material.

The flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle of the present invention maybe prepared by spraying a liquid flavor-emitting composition containingthe flavorant and the flavorant-holding material onto the adsorbent coreparticle while stirring the adsorbent core particle under reducedpressure.

The flavorant contained in the liquid flavor-emitting composition is thesame as those described above, and the flavorant-holding material isalso the same as those described above.

When the liquid flavor-emitting composition contains only a hydrophilicflavorant as a flavorant, it is preferable that the liquidflavor-emitting composition contains glucan as a film forming materialand a hydrophilic flavorant, and further contains water as a solvent fordissolving glucan and the hydrophilic flavorant.

When the liquid flavor-emitting composition contains a hydrophobicflavorant as a flavorant (for example, when the liquid flavor-emittingcomposition contains only a hydrophobic flavorant as a flavorant, orwhen the liquid flavor-emitting composition contains a hydrophobicflavorant as well as a hydrophilic flavorant as a flavorant), it ispreferable that the liquid flavor-emitting composition contains glucanas a film forming material, water as the solvent of glucan, ahydrophobic flavorant (and a hydrophilic flavorant), an oily solvent fordissolving the hydrophobic flavorant (for example, a vegetable oil or asaturated fatty acid triglyceride, preferably a medium chain saturatedfatty acid triglyceride), and an emulsifying agent. When thiscomposition contains a hydrophilic flavorant in addition to thehydrophobic flavorant, the hydrophilic flavorant dissolves in water.

In the production of the flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle, it ispreferable that the adsorbent core particle is under reduced pressure of12.3 kPa or lower, for example, under reduced pressure of 7.4 to 12.3kPa, during spraying the liquid flavor-emitting composition. Moreover,at that time, it is preferable that the adsorbent core particle is at atemperature of 60° C. or lower, for example, at a temperature of 40 to60° C. By spraying the liquid flavor-emitting composition containing theflavorant and the flavorant-holding material under reduced pressure,there are benefits that a large amount of the flavorant can be carriedon the adsorbent core particle and also that a flavor-emittingcomposition having a high viscosity (for example, a viscosity of about 2Pa·s) can be sprayed through a spray nozzle.

In order to produce the flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle of thepresent invention, a conical ribbon mixer dryer may be used. The conicalribbon mixer dryer is described in, for example, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAIPublication No. 2003-71263, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No.2003-290641, and Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2007-229633. Inaddition, a conical ribbon mixer dryer manufactured by OKAWARA MFG. CO.,LTD. is commercially available.

The basic structure of such a conical ribbon mixer dryer will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 illustrates a schematiccross-sectional view illustrating an example of a conical ribbon mixerdryer 10. The conical ribbon mixer dryer 10 comprises a treatment tank12 for performing mixing and drying treatment therein, which isconstituted by an inverted conical part 121 and a cylindrical part 122united on the inverted conical part 121. The conical ribbon mixer dryer10 comprises a double helix ribbon rotor blade 14 provided in the insideof the treatment tank 12. The double helix ribbon rotor blade 14 isattached to plural bearing bars (bearing bars 18 a to 18 e in FIG. 1)which are spaced apart from each other and fixed to a rotating shaft 16longitudinally extending along the central axis of the treatment tank12. To the inner wall of the cylindrical part 122 of the treatment tank12, a pair of vortex flow breakers 20 a and 20 b (for example, having aplatelike structure) is fixed above the rotor blade 14. A treatedproduct (adsorbent particles in the present invention) rises along theinner wall of the treatment tank 12 by the action of the ribbon rotorblade 14, and therefore the vortex flow breakers 20 a and 20 b cause thetreated product to move near the center of the treatment tank 12 and tofall to the lower part of the treatment tank 12.

The outer boundary of the treatment tank 12 is surrounded with a jacket22. In order to heat the content of the tank, steam is introducedthrough a steam inlet 22 a into this jacket 22 via a line L1, and steamis discharged through a steam outlet 22 b to the outside of the systemvia a line L2.

The upper opening of the tank is closed by a top board 24. On this topboard 24, a motor 26 and a reduction gear 28 are installed, and theoutput shaft of the reduction gear 28 is connected to the rotating shaft16 provided in the inside of the treatment tank 12. In addition, at thetop board 24, an inlet 24 a for an object to be treated (adsorbent coreparticles in the present invention) is provided, and at the bottom ofthe treatment tank 12, an outlet 12 a for treated product(flavorant-carrying adsorbent particles in the present invention) isprovided.

Moreover, to the top board 24, a bag filter 30 is attached. Of thecontent of the treatment tank 12, this bag filter traps particulatematter (adsorbent particles in the present invention) and passesvolatile matter (water contained in the flavor-emitting composition inthe present invention). The passed volatile matter is led to a condenser32 via a line L3. The condenser 32 is configured by, for example, awater cooled cooler, and the volatile matter passes through the insideof an inner tube 321. The volatile matter is cooled by cooling waterintroduced into an outer tube 322 through a line L5, and dischargedthrough a line L6 as a condensate (water). Water introduced into theouter tube 322 is discharged through the line L5. The inner tube 321 isconnected to a pressure reducing pump P1 via a line L7, and the insideof the treatment tank 12 is decompressed by the drive of the pressurereducing pump P1.

The basic structure of the conical ribbon mixer dryer is as describedabove. Further, in order to prepare the flavorant-carrying adsorbentparticle of the present invention, a spray nozzle 34 for introducing theliquid flavor-emitting composition into the treatment tank 12 isprovided so as to penetrate through the top board 24. The spray nozzle34 sprays the liquid flavor-emitting composition LFC into the treatmenttank 12 from a container 36 containing the liquid flavor-emittingcomposition via a line L8 equipped with a liquid feeding pump P2. Inaddition, in order to measure the temperature of the adsorbent particlesin the treatment tank 12, a temperature sensor (for example,thermocouple) 38 is provided at the lower part of the treatment tank 12.

In order to produce the flavorant-carrying adsorbent particles of thepresent invention using the conical ribbon mixer dryer 10 illustrated inFIG. 1, the adsorbent core particles AP contained in a container 40 areintroduced into the treatment tank 12 via a line L9. The liquidflavor-emitting composition contained in the container 36 is sprayedinto the treatment tank 12 from the spray nozzle 34 via the line L8according to the drive of the liquid feeding pump P2, while heating theinside of the treatment tank 12 by introducing steam having atemperature of 80° C. or higher, preferably 100 to 120° C., into thejacket 22, and while stirring the adsorbent particles by rotating thedouble helix ribbon rotor blade 14 according to the drive of the motor26. During this spraying, it is preferable that the temperature of theadsorbent particles is maintained at 70° C. or lower, and preferably 60°C. or lower. This temperature of the adsorbent particles can bemaintained by the heat of evaporation taken by water from the adsorbentparticles, when water in the liquid flavor-emitting compositionintroduced into the treatment tank 12 is heated and evaporated by steamof 80° C. or higher introduced into the jacket 22.

In the flavorant-carrying adsorbent particles produced in this manner,only water is removed by volatilization during production, but almostall of the components other than water contained in the liquidflavor-emitting composition applied to the adsorbent core particlesduring production are carried on the adsorbent core particles.Consequently, the liquid flavor-emitting composition applied to theadsorbent core particles contains the flavorant-holding material in anamount of 5 to 20%, preferably 5 to 10%, with respect to the weight ofthe adsorbent core particles used, and the flavorant in an amount of 10to 50% with respect to the weight of the flavorant-holding materialcontained in the liquid flavor-emitting composition. Theflavorant-holding material contained in the liquid flavor-emittingcomposition, particularly, a part of an aqueous solution or aqueousdispersion of the film forming material may be applied to the adsorbentcore particles in advance. The advance application of a part of theaqueous solution or aqueous dispersion of the film forming materialmakes it possible to suppress the temperature of the adsorbent coreparticles rising at the initial stage of production of theflavorant-carrying adsorbent particle and also suppress the generationof fine powder from the adsorbents.

The flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle of the present invention canhave, in the initial state, an adsorption ability of 50% or greater withrespect to the intrinsic adsorption ability of the adsorbent coreparticle, preferably an adsorption ability of 70% or greater withrespect to the intrinsic adsorption ability of the adsorbent coreparticle, and more preferably an adsorption ability of 90 to about 100%with respect to the intrinsic adsorption ability of the adsorbent coreparticle. Here, the initial state refers to a state before theflavorant-carrying adsorbent particle is contacted with the mainstreamsmoke of a cigarette. As described above, the intrinsic adsorptionability of the adsorbent core particle is determined by taking acetonein the mainstream smoke of a cigarette as a standard. In other words,the flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle of the present invention isable to immediately adsorb the components contained in the mainstreamsmoke of a cigarette when the flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle iscontacted with the mainstream smoke of a cigarette. As theflavorant-carrying adsorbent particle is contacted with the mainstreamsmoke of a cigarette, the flavorant-holding material contained in theliquid flavor-emitting composition of the flavorant-carrying adsorbentparticle is dissolved by a polar component (particularly, water)contained in the mainstream smoke of a cigarette, and the adsorptionability thereof gradually increases. As a matter of course, duringstorage, it is rare that the flavorant is emitted from theflavor-generating medium.

A cigarette filter according to the second aspect of the presentinvention comprises a filter section including the flavorant-carryingadsorbent particles of the present invention. In addition, afilter-tipped cigarette according to the third aspect of the presentinvention provides a filter-tipped cigarette comprising a cigarette rodand the filter of the present invention which is connected to one end ofthe cigarette rod.

The cigarette filter according to the present invention may comprise afilter section in which the flavorant-carrying adsorbent particles ofthe present invention are dispersed in a general filter raw material,for example, a cellulose acetate fiber tow (bound by a plasticizer suchas triacetin). The so-called plain filter section (for example,consisting of a cellulose acetate fiber tow bound by a plasticizer suchas triacetin) may be connected to one end of the above filter section.Alternatively, the cigarette filter according to the present inventionmay comprise two plain filter sections disposed apart from each otherand the flavorant-carrying adsorbent particles of the present inventionfilled in the space between these two plain filter sections.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cigarette (filter-tippedcigarette) 50 equipped with the cigarette filter according to anembodiment of the present invention. A filter-tipped cigarette 50comprises a cigarette rod 52 in which a tobacco filler 521, such as cuttobacco, is wrapped with a cigarette paper 522. The cigarette rod 52 isthe same as that of a general cigarette.

A filter 54 is attached to one end of the cigarette rod 52. The filter54 comprises a flavorant-carrying adsorbent particles-containing filtersection 541 which is provided so as to be directly connected to one endof the cigarette rod 52, and a plain filter section 542 which isprovided at the end of the downstream side of the filter section 541with respect to the flow direction of the mainstream smoke.

The flavorant-carrying adsorbent particles-containing filter section 541is, for example, a filter obtained by wrapping a cellulose acetate fiber541 a, in which flavorant-carrying adsorbent particles FCA aredispersed, with a filter wrapping paper 541 b, and may be prepared bythe same method as that for the preparation of a general charcoalfilter.

The plain filter section 542 is, for example, a filter obtained bywrapping a tow of a cellulose acetate fiber 542 a with a filter wrappingpaper 542 b.

The filter 54 consisting of the filter sections 541 and 542 is attachedto the cigarette rod 52 by a tipping paper 56 as in the generalfilter-tipped cigarette.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cigarette (filter-tippedcigarette) 60 equipped with the cigarette filter according to anotherembodiment of the present invention. In this filter-tipped cigarette 60,a filter 62 attached to a cigarette rod 52 by a tipping paper 56comprises a first plain filter section 621 directly attached to one endof the cigarette rod 52, and a second plain filter section 622 providedso as to be spaced from the first plain filter section 621, and thewhole is wrapped with a filter wrapping paper 66. The first and secondplain filter sections 621 and 622 have the same configurations as thoseillustrated in FIG. 2. The space (cavity) 64 between the first plainfilter section 621 and the second plain filter section 622 is filledwith the flavorant-carrying adsorbent particles FCA of the presentinvention.

EXAMPLES

<Preparation of Liquid Flavor-Emitting Composition>

A mixture containing the components listed in Table 1 in the proportionslisted in Table 1 was emulsified using an emulsifier (ROBOMICS MARK IImanufactured by PRIMIX Corporation) at 7500 rpm for 15 minutes. At thistime, the surrounding of the emulsifier was cooled with water such thatthe temperature of the mixture did not exceed 45° C. In this manner,liquid flavor-emitting compositions A to D were obtained.

COCONARD MT manufactured by Kao Corporation was used as a medium chainfatty acid triglyceride, LP-20E manufactured by The Nisshin OilliOGroup, Ltd. was used as lecithin, and P-1570 manufactured byMitsubishi-kagaku Foods Corporation was used as a sugar ester.

TABLE 1 Mixing proportion (% by weight) Liquid Liquid Liquid Liquidflavor- flavor- flavor- flavor- emitting emitting emitting emittingComponents composition A composition B composition C composition DPullulan 10 10 10 9.5 Water 79 76 80 72.3 Medium chain fatty 5 5 3 4.8acid triglyceride Lecithin 2 2 2 1.9 Sugar ester 2 2 2 1.9 1-Menthol 2 —— 4.8 Vanillin — 5 — — Cocoa powder — — 3 — Butyric acid — — — 4.8

<Preparation of Flavorant-Carrying Adsorbent Particle>

Example 1

Here, RIBOCONE RM-50-SR manufactured by OKAWARA MFG. CO., LTD., was usedas a conical ribbon mixer dryer (see FIG. 1). Into the mixer dryer wereput 15 kg of activated carbon (KURARAY COAL GGS-H28/70 manufactured byKURARAY CHEMICAL CO., LTD.; average particle size: 0.4 mm; BET specificsurface area: 1700 m²/g) and 6 kg of an aqueous solution containing 5%by weight pullulan, and steam of 120° C. under a pressure of 200 kPa wascirculated in the jacket. The pressure inside the mixer dryer was set at12.3 kPa and the activated carbon was stirred. After stirring for 5minutes, 7.5 kg of liquid flavor-emitting composition A was sprayedthrough the spray nozzle into the mixer dryer over 60 minutes, and thenfurther stirred and dried for 5 minutes. Flavorant-carrying adsorbentparticles were taken out of the mixer dryer, immediately put in acontinuous fluidized-bed granulation dryer (MIX GRADO 0.5 TYPEmanufactured by OKAWARA MFG. CO., LTD.), and subjected to sensible heatexchange and dehumidification of activated carbon particles for 3minutes, thereby obtaining a product of flavorant-carrying adsorbentparticles.

Example 2

A product of flavorant-carrying adsorbent particles was obtainedaccording to the same procedure as in Example 1 except that liquidflavor-emitting composition B was used instead of liquid flavor-emittingcomposition A.

Example 3

A product of flavorant-carrying adsorbent particles was obtainedaccording to the same procedure as in Example 1 except that liquidflavor-emitting composition C was used instead of liquid flavor-emittingcomposition A.

Example 4

A product of flavorant-carrying adsorbent particles was obtainedaccording to the same procedure as in Example 1 except that liquidflavor-emitting composition D was used instead of liquid flavor-emittingcomposition A.

<Manufacture of Filter-Tipped Cigarette>

A filter-tipped cigarette having a configuration illustrated in FIG. 3was manufactured. Specifically, the filter-tipped cigarette having aconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 3 was manufactured according to thefollowing procedure. From a commercially available filter-tippedcigarette product, “Winston Lights”, which is equipped with a filterhaving a cellulose acetate fiber tow as a filter raw material, thecellulose acetate fiber tow of a filter raw material was removed using apair of tweezers. Then, the vacant space part was filled with acellulose acetate fiber tow (length: 10 mm; 2.5 Y/35000 (that is, singlefineness: 2.5 denier; cross-section of filament: Y type; total fineness:35000 denier)), filled with 30 mg of the flavorant-carrying adsorbentparticles obtained in Examples 1 to 4 (in 2 mm of length of the space 64in the longitudinal direction of the cigarette rod), and finally filledwith a cellulose acetate fiber tow (length: 10 mm; 2.5 Y/35000). Inaddition, a filter-tipped cigarette (hereinafter, referred to as acontrol cigarette) was manufactured in the same manner as above exceptthat 30 mg of no flavorant-carrying activated carbon (KURARAY COALGGS-H28/70 manufactured by KURARAY CHEMICAL CO., LTD.) was used as itis, instead of the flavorant-carrying adsorbent particles obtained inExamples 1 to 4.

These four kinds of filter-tipped cigarettes according to the presentinvention were subjected to smoking. As a result, it was confirmed thatflavor from the flavorant was emitted in the mainstream smoke, andflavor and taste were stronger compared to the control cigarette. Thisresult indicates that a large amount of a flavorant was carried on anadsorbent core particle by a treatment in a short time according to themethod of the present invention.

Comparative Example

A flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle was prepared according to thesame manner as in Example 1 except that a solution containing 5% byweight 1-menthol in ethanol was sprayed onto activated carbon. Afilter-tipped cigarette was manufactured in the same manner as aboveusing this flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle. This filter-tippedcigarette was subjected to smoking, but flavor from the flavorant wasnot confirmed.

Experimental Example

The filter-tipped cigarette manufactured in Example 4 was subjected tosmoking, and the adsorption ability of the filter with respect toacetone in the mainstream smoke was investigated.

In this experiment, an apparatus 70 illustrated in FIG. 4 was used inorder to trap components contained in the mainstream smoke of acigarette. This apparatus 70 has a trapping device for trappingparticulate matter 71 comprising a Cambridge filter 711 (a diameter of47 mm), a tobacco mainstream smoke inflow port 71 a, which holds acigarette CIG, and a tobacco mainstream smoke outflow port 71 b.Further, the apparatus 70 comprises an impinger 72. In the impinger 72,a trapping agent solution TA for trapping gaseous components in thetobacco mainstream smoke is contained. In the present experiment, 10 mLof methanol containing 200 ppm of anethole, which was an internalstandard substance, was put therein as the trapping agent solution TA.The impinger 72 was accommodated in a Dewar bottle 73 containing arefrigerant RM for maintaining the trapping agent solution TA at a lowtemperature. In the present experiment, a mixture of dry ice andisopropanol was used as the refrigerant RM, and the temperature of thetrapping agent solution TA was maintained at −70° C. or lower during theexperiment. The outflow port 71 b of the trapping device 71 for trappingparticulate matter was connected with a pipe line 74 extending into thetrapping agent solution TA in the impinger 72. In addition, a suctionport 76 a of an automatic smoking machine 76 was connected with a pipeline 75 extending to the upper space of the trapping agent solution TAin the impinger 72. When a cigarette was ignited and the automaticsmoking machine 76 was driven, the pressure inside the impinger 72 wasreduced by suction via the pipe line 75. In accordance with the pressurereduction, the mainstream smoke of the tobacco passed through theCambridge filter 711 in the trapping device 71. At that time, theparticulate matter in the mainstream smoke of the tobacco was trapped inthe Cambridge filter 711, and the particulate matter-deprived mainstreamsmoke was introduced into the trapping agent solution TA in the impinger72 via the pipe line 74. Bubbling occurs in the trapping agent solutionTA, and the gaseous matter in the mainstream smoke is trapped in thetrapping agent solution TA.

In the present experiment, the cigarette manufactured in Example 4 wasset to the trapping device 71, and subjected to smoking using theautomatic smoking machine 76 under the standard smoking conditionsdefined by International Organization for Standardization (1 puff: 35 mLpuff for 2 seconds, puff interval: 58 seconds). After smoking wascompleted, the agent solution in the impinger 72 was transferred to aserum vial, and the Cambridge filter 711, in which the particulatematter was trapped, was also put into the serum vial. It was subjectedto a shaking extraction at 250 times/min for 30 minutes. 1 mL of theobtained extract was put into a vial for gas chromatograph-massspectrometer (GC/MS), and the components in the mainstream smoke wereanalyzed under the following conditions.

Analytical conditions of the components in the mainstream smoke:

GC/MS: HP 7890/5975 manufactured by Hewlett-Packard development Company,D. P.

Column: DB-1701

Flow rate of column: 1.2 mL/min

Temperature raising condition: The temperature was maintained at 60° C.for 5 minutes, and then raised to 160° C. by 5° C./min and to 250° C. by10° C./min, and then maintained at 250° C. for 30 minutes.

Ratio of injection: split 10: 1; Inlet: 220° C.; Flow rate: 12 mL/min;Total flow rate: 16.2 mL/min

MS condition: Scan parameter: 33.0 to 200.0;

Threshold: 50; MS ion source: 230° C.; MS quadrupole: 150° C.

The same analysis was also performed in a cigarette having a plainfilter (that is, the cigarette having a cigarette rod of a commerciallyavailable filter-tipped cigarette product, “Winston Lights”, and a plainfilter consisting of a cellulose acetate fiber tow (length: 20 mm; 2.5Y/70000) connected to one end thereof; hereinafter, this will bereferred to as a “standard cigarette”) and the above control cigarette.

From the analysis results of the filter-tipped cigarette of Example 4,the control cigarette, and the standard cigarette, the value of acetonepeak area for each of the cigarettes was calculated. Each of the valuesof acetone peak area for the filter-tipped cigarette of Example 4 andthe control cigarette was divided by the value of acetone peak area forthe standard cigarette. The obtained value was multiplied by 100 toobtain the acetone decreasing rate (%) for each of the filter-tippedcigarette of Example 4 and the control cigarette. The acetone decreasingrate (%) was subtracted from 100% to obtain the acetone adsorption rate.As a result, the acetone adsorption rate with respect to the controlcigarette was 48%, and the acetone adsorption rate with respect to thefilter-tipped cigarette of Example 4 was 45%. This result indicates thatthe flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle of Example 4 has an adsorptionability corresponding to about 94% with respect to the intrinsicadsorption ability of the adsorbent core particle. That is, theadsorption ability of the filter-tipped cigarette of Example 4 was alittle lower than that of the control cigarette including noflavorant-carrying activated carbon, but almost the same level.

The filter-tipped cigarettes manufactured in Examples 1 to 3 alsoexhibited the same level of adsorption ability as that of thefilter-tipped cigarette of Example 4.

Reference Example

Two kinds of filter-tipped cigarettes were manufactured in the samemanner as the above control cigarette except that the activated carbonwas substituted with 30 mg of activated carbon having a specific surfacearea of 700 m²/g and 1000 m²/g, respectively. The acetone adsorptionrate with respect to these cigarettes was investigated in the samemanner as above. As a result, the acetone adsorption rate with respectto the former cigarette was 23%, and the acetone adsorption rate withrespect to the latter cigarette was 34%. From this result, it is foundthat activated carbon having a specific surface area of 700 m²/g orgreater exhibits an adsorption effect with respect to the componentscontained in the mainstream smoke of a cigarette.

<Measurement of Amounts of Flavorant Carried and Flavorant-HoldingMaterial>

In regard to the flavorant-carrying particles obtained in Examples 1 to4, the amount of the flavorant carried and the amount of theflavorant-holding material were measured.

The flavorant-carrying particles of Comparative Examples were preparedaccording to Examples 1 to 3 of the Prior Art Document (WO 2008/072627).In regard to the flavorant-carrying particles thus prepared, the amountof the flavorant carried and the amount of the flavorant-holdingmaterial were measured in the same manner as those for Examples 1 to 4.

The flavorant-carrying particles according to Comparative Examples wereprepared as follows.

Comparative Example 1 Example 1 of the Prior Art Document

2% by weight of coffee oil was added to a previously prepared aqueousdispersion of pullulan containing 10% by weight of pullulan. The mixturewas vigorously stirred in an emulsifier (emulsifier rotation speed of2500 rpm), thus preparing a flavorant dispersion. On the other hand, 100g of calcium carbonate particles having an average particle size of 250μm were charged into a fluidized-bed granulation dryer, and immediatelythe flavorant dispersion was intermittently sprayed onto the particles(in repeated cycles of spraying for 1 minute then no spraying for 30minutes), while blowing warm air of 75° C. at a flow rate of 0.6 m/sec.In this manner, total 10 g of flavorant dispersion was sprayed onto thesurface of the calcium carbonate particles, followed by drying.Thereafter, the inside of the fluidized bed was immediately cooled toroom temperature, thus obtaining desired flavor beads.

Comparative Example 2 Example 2 of the Prior Art Document

100 g of calcium carbonate particles having an average particle size of250 μm were charged into a fluidized-bed granulation dryer, and anaqueous flavorant mixture solution containing 1% by weight of a tobaccoflavorant, to which vanillin was added, and 9% by weight of pullulan,was continuously sprayed onto the particles, while blowing warm air of30° C. at a flow rate of 1.0 m/sec. In this manner, total 5 g of theaqueous mixture solution was sprayed onto the surface of the calciumcarbonate particles, followed by drying. Thereafter, the temperature ofthe warm air was immediately decreased to room temperature, and theparticles were cooled at a flow rate of 0.4 m/sec, thus obtainingdesired flavor beads.

Comparative Example 3 Example 3 of the Prior Art Document

1% by weight of coffee oil and 0.5% by weight of lecithin were added toa previously prepared aqueous dispersion of pullulan containing 10% byweight of pullulan. The mixture was vigorously stirred in an emulsifier(emulsifier rotation speed of 7500 rpm, 15 minutes), thus preparing aflavorant dispersion. On the other hand, 300 g of ground coffee beanparticles having an average particle size of 250 μm to 1.4 mm werecharged into a rotating fluidized-bed granulation dryer (SFC-MINImanufactured by FREUND Corporation), and the perforated rotating disk atthe bottom and the mixer blades for preventing lumping were rotated atabout 500 rpm and about 400 rpm, respectively, while blowing warm air of75° C. at a flow rate of 0.6 m/sec, thereby forming a fluidized bed ofthe ground coffee bean particles. The flavorant dispersion kept at 40°C. was continuously sprayed onto the fluidized bed, thereby sprayingtotal 90 g of flavorant dispersion on the surface of the ground coffeebean particles, followed by drying. Thereafter, the temperature of thewarm air was immediately decreased to room temperature, and theparticles were cooled at a flow rate of 0.4 m/sec, thus obtainingdesired flavor beads.

The amount of the flavorant and the amount of the flavorant-holdingmaterial were measured as follows.

Measurement of Flavorant

The flavorant-carrying particles were subjected to a shaking extractionusing a mixture of purified water and methanol. The obtained extract wassubjected to a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC/MS) to measurethe flavorant.

Measurement of Flavorant-Holding Material

The flavorant-carrying particles was weighed (weight A), and heated anddried for the purpose of removing water in the particles (post-dryingweight B). Purified water was added to the particles after drying, andthe shaking extraction was performed, thereby eluting theflavorant-holding material. The particles were further heated and dried(post-drying weight C). The difference between the weight C and weight Awas regarded as the amount of the flavorant-holding material.

The measurement result is illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 illustrates theamount of the flavorant carried and the amount of the flavorant-holdingmaterial in a proportion (% by weight) with respect to the total weightof the flavorant-carrying particles. FIG. 5 indicates that theflavorant-carrying particles according to the present invention carry alarger amount of a flavorant than the flavorant-carrying particlesaccording to the Comparative Examples.

In addition, it was possible to prepare the flavorant-carrying particlesaccording to the present invention by a treatment in a shorter time thanthe flavorant-carrying particles according to the Comparative Examples.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

10: Conical ribbon mixer dryer, 12: Treatment tank, 121: Invertedconical part of treatment tank, 122: Cylindrical part of treatment tank,12 a: Outlet for treated product, 14: Double helix ribbon rotor blade,16: Rotating shaft, 18 a to 18 e: Bearing bar, 20 a and 20 b: Vortexflow breaker, 22: Jacket, 22 a: Steam inlet, 22 b: Steam outlet, 24: Topboard, 26: Motor, 28: Reduction gear, 24 a: Inlet for object to betreated, 30: Bag filter, 32: Condenser, 321: Inner tube of condenser,322: Outer tube of condenser, P1: Pressure reducing pump, 34: Spraynozzle, 36: Container for liquid flavor-emitting composition (LFC), P2:Liquid feeding pump, 38: Temperature sensor, 40: Container for adsorbentcore particles (AP),

50 and 60: Filter-tipped Cigarette, 52: Cigarette rod, 521: Tobaccofiller, 522: Cigarette paper, 54 and 62: Filter, 541: flavorant-carryingadsorbent particles-containing filter section, 542: Plain filtersection, FCA: Flavorant-carrying adsorbent particles, 541 a and 542 a:Cellulose acetate fiber, 541 b, 542 b, and 66: Filter wrapping paper,56: Tipping paper, 621: First plain filter section, 622: Second plainfilter section, 64: Cavity,

70: Apparatus for trapping components contained in mainstream smoke ofcigarette, 711: Cambridge filter, CIG: Cigarette, 71: Trapping devicefor trapping particulate matter, 71 a: Tobacco mainstream smoke inflowport, 71 b: Tobacco mainstream smoke outflow port, 72: Impinger, TA:Trapping agent solution for trapping gaseous components in tobaccomainstream smoke, 73: Dewar bottle, RM: Refrigerant, 74 and 75: Pipeline, 76: Automatic smoking machine, 76 a: Suction port.

What is claimed is:
 1. A flavorant-carrying adsorbent particlecomprising: an adsorbent core particle having a BET specific surfacearea of 700 m²/g or greater, and a flavor-generating medium carried onthe surface of the adsorbent core particle and including a flavorant anda flavorant-holding material holding the flavorant, wherein theflavorant-holding material is present in an amount of 5 to 20% withrespect to a total weight of the flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle,and the flavorant is present in an amount of 10 to 50% with respect to aweight of the flavorant-holding material.
 2. The flavorant-carryingadsorbent particle according to claim 1, wherein the flavorant-carryingadsorbent particle has, in an initial state, an acetone adsorptionability of 50% or greater with respect to the intrinsic acetoneadsorption ability of the adsorbent core particle.
 3. Theflavorant-carrying adsorbent particle according to claim 1, wherein theflavorant-carrying adsorbent particle is produced by spraying a liquidflavor-emitting composition containing a flavorant and aflavorant-holding material onto an adsorbent core particle having a BETspecific surface area of 700 m²/g or greater while stirring theadsorbent core particle under reduced pressure.
 4. A cigarette filtercomprising a filter section including the flavorant-carrying adsorbentparticle according to claim
 1. 5. A filter-tipped cigarette comprising acigarette rod and the filter according to claim 4 which is connected toone end of the cigarette rod.
 6. A method for producing a flavorantcarrying adsorbent particle, comprising: spraying a liquidflavor-emitting composition containing a flavorant and aflavorant-holding material onto an adsorbent core particle having a BETspecific surface area of 700 m²/g or greater while stirring theadsorbent core particle under reduced pressure.
 7. The method forproducing a flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle according to claim 6,wherein the liquid flavor-emitting composition contains theflavorant-holding material in an amount of 5 to 20% with respect to atotal weight of the flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle, and theflavorant in an amount of 10 to 50% with respect to a weight of theflavorant-holding material.
 8. The method for producing aflavorant-carrying adsorbent particle according to claim 6, wherein thereduced pressure is a pressure of 12.3 kPa or lower.
 9. The method forproducing a flavorant-carrying adsorbent particle according to claim 6,wherein the adsorbent core particle is maintained at a temperature of60° C. or lower during the spraying.